Banner the highlight in pre-season opener

SOUTH Fremantle had its first pre-season hit out at Lathlain's Brownes Stadium on Saturday with a host of players showing exciting signs for the 2013 campaign that awaits.

Even though Perth won the game 12.14 (86) to 6.9 (45) on its home turf on Saturday, it's just the opening pre-season match for 2013 and the end result is far from the most important aspect.

What does matter for coach Paul Hasleby and his players is that they get some run into their legs, work on their match conditioning and work on getting the game plan right for the season proper.

The Bulldogs started the game well with three goals to two in the first quarter, but Perth managed to get on top from there and end up winning by 41 points.

However, it was Mitch Banner who was the star of the day in his first match in Bulldogs colours since coming to the WAFL after his AFL career with Port Adelaide came to an end at the end of last year.

Banner put on a dominant display on the wide expanses of Brownes Stadium finishing with 29 possessions, nine marks and two goals to show that he will be an outstanding addition to the South Fremantle midfield brigade in 2013.

Captain Ryan Cook gathered 20 possessions as well with Haiden Schloithe collecting 19, veteran Kris Miller 19, Toby Bairstow 16 and Sean Lynch 15.

Ruckman Sean Tighe also continued on from where he left off with a good first season with the Bulldogs last year in the ruck with 17 possessions, five marks, three tackles and 13 hit outs.

Alistair Gillespie has arrived from Claremont over summer to play as a key forward and back up ruckman, and had a solid first showing with nine possessions, seven hit outs and two goals.

Dylan Ross, Adam McIntosh, Mitch Carter, Craig White and Alex Grima were others in the red-and-white to put in good performances in the first hit out of the year.

South Fremantle will now continue its pre-season campaign this Saturday night against West Perth at Fremantle Oval. The Colts starts at 9am, reserves 4pm and league 6.30pm.